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MSP WELCOMES NEW FARMER SUPPORT SERVICE

ADDRESSING AN AGEING FARMING POPULATION

MSP for the Angus South Constituency, Graeme Dey, has welcomed the Scottish Government’s launch of a new land matching service, aimed at tackling the issue of an ageing farming population and lack of access to land for new entrants.

The Scottish Land Matching Service will initiate discussions between new entrants and landowners and provide unbiased guidance and support to both parties. It will be hosted by the National Farmers Union for Scotland and will report directly into the Farming Opportunities for New Entrants group.

Ian Davidson – previously Head of Agriculture Policy within the Scottish Government’s Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate – has agreed to be an independent adviser.

The service, announced in the Programme for Government, aims to help new entrants like Pat and Jess Kimpton. They have entered into a five-year joint venture agreement with Robin Young of Waterside Farm, near Dunblane – enabling them to fulfil their ambition of running their own farming business.

Mr Kimpton said:

“We saw this as a great opportunity to get a foot on the ladder and grow our own business. It also helps to share the risk, so we will have more confidence to develop further. Having good quality impartial advice is also essential for that.”

Mr Young added:

“The formation of a joint venture has given us confidence to invest in our business as well as enabling a young couple the opportunity to develop and grow their own business in tandem.

“A land matching service would have been hugely beneficial to us when we started this process, and hopefully it will open up opportunities to others and help highlight the benefits of collaborative working.”

Commenting, Mr Dey said:

“I am very pleased to see this important new service launched, and look forward to seeing the experience of Mr Young and the Kimptons replicated here in Angus South.

“The availability of land is still a key obstacle to attracting prospective new farmers, and addressing this issue is central to the future of agriculture in Angus and across Scotland.

“Presently, advice can be ad-hoc and of varying quality given the range of parties administering land matching, joint venture and contract farming agreements.

“The Scottish Land Matching Service aims to be an indispensable managing tool for supporting people into these mutually beneficial arrangements.”